﻿Nitzavim: Two Levels of Teshuvah

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This week:
Bechukotai

The Torah portion of Nitzavim is always read before Rosh
Hashanah, a fitting time to speak about reflection and repentance.
Often we have a strong desire to make changes in our lives. We may
want to be better parents, better spouses, and better people. We
aspire to greater spirituality in our lives, to devote more time to
Torah study, to be more thoughtful in our interpersonal relationships.
And yet, circumstances may make such resolutions very difficult to
keep. Our goals may seem unattainable, and our personality faults
beyond correction.

National Teshuvah

The Torah describes the national teshuvah (repentence) of the Jewish people as
they return to their homeland and their faith:

“Among the nations where the Lord your God has banished you, you will
reflect on the situation. Then you will return up to the Lord your God.... He
will gather you from among the nations... and bring you
to the land that your ancestors possessed.

“God will remove the
barriers from your hearts... and you will repent and obey God,
keeping all of His commandments.... For you will return to the Lord your God
with all your heart and soul.” (Deut. 30:1-10)

Twice, the verse states that “you will return to God.” Is there a
purpose to this repetition? A careful reading reveals a slight
discrepancy between the two phrases.

After reflection in the exile, the Jewish people will return to
the land of their fathers. Here the text says, “you will return
up to God,” using the Hebrew word ‘עד’ ('ad').

After returning to the Land of Israel and God removes the
barriers of their hearts, they will learn to fully love God and
keep His commandments. This time the Torah says, “you will return
to God,” using the preposition ‘אל’ ('el').

Two Stages of Teshuvah

How are these two types of national return different? What is the
difference between 'ad' and 'el'?

The first teshuvah is the physical return to their homeland,
to their language, and to their
national essence. This is returning “up to God” — approaching, but
not fully attaining. Thus the Torah uses the preposition 'ad,'
indicating a state of “up to, but not included in the category” (a
Talmudic expression, ‘עד ולא עד בכלל').
This is a genuine yet incomplete repentance, obscured by
many veils.

After this initial return, the Jewish people will merit Divine
assistance that “will remove the barriers from your hearts.” This
will enable the people to achieve the second stage of return, a
full, complete teshuvah, all the way “to God.” This is an
all-embracing return to God “with all your heart and soul.”

Thoughts of Teshuvah

It is important to recognize and appreciate these different levels
of teshuvah. This lesson is also true on a personal level. We
should value even partial efforts to change and improve. The Sages
praised even hirhureiteshuvah, the mere desire to improve
(Pesikta Rabbati 44). Perhaps we are unable to fulfill our
spiritual ambitions to the extent we like. Nonetheless, we should
view our desire to change and improve as tools that purify and sanctify, leading
us on our way to attaining complete spiritual elevation.